Fiber Broadband Association Releases New Paper on The Importance of Fiber in Tribal Communities

Fiber Broadband Association Releases New Paper on The Importance of Fiber in Tribal Communities  

Paper underscores how fiber broadband enables economic opportunity, healthcare access, and cultural preservation on Tribal lands 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—(March 18, 2026)—The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today published a thematic paper, titled How Fiber Broadband Can Close the Digital Divide in Tribal Communities, exploring why fiber infrastructure is foundational to expanding opportunity and connectivity in Tribal communities. 

An estimated 6.8 million U.S. households still lack reliable internet access, with the gap falling disproportionately on Tribal lands, where approximately 24% of residents remain unconnected, more than three times the national average. The paper finds that fiber broadband is the most durable and future-ready technology capable of supporting long-term connectivity needs, economic growth, and community resilience.   

“When we invest in fiber on Tribal lands, we are investing in long-term resilience, enabling access to education, telehealth, economic development, and cultural preservation for generations to come,” said Deborah Kish, Vice President of Research and Workforce Development at the Fiber Broadband Association. “The success stories highlighted in this paper demonstrate that when Tribal leaders have the resources, streamlined policies, and strong industry partnerships they deserve, they build networks that are not only high-performing, but community-owned and community-driven.” 

The paper highlights success deployments led by Tribal nations across the country, including Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Mohawk Networks, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, the Osage Nation, Mescalero Apache Telecom, and the Chickasaw Nation. These community-driven initiatives demonstrate how intentional investment in fiber infrastructure can strengthen economic growth, improve government services, enhance public safety, and support cultural preservation. 

FBA’s paper also outlines policy recommendations to accelerate deployment, including streamlined federal coordination, simplified funding applications, expanded technical assistance, and sustained appropriations to support long-term network success. Together, these reforms would reduce administrative barriers, increase Tribal participation in federal programs, and support the development of resilient, community-owned fiber networks that serve generations to come. 

At Fiber Connect 2026, FBA will spotlight Tribal broadband leadership through dedicated programming. A session on May 19th, Delivering Affordable, Reliable Fiber-Based Connectivity to Rural Tribal Communities, moderated by Chez Oxendine of Tribal Business News will feature leaders including Robert Griffin of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Andrew Metcalfe of Native Network, Alice Sanchez of Cisco, and Angela Diahkah of Jemez Pueblo Tribal Network, to share real-world insights on deploying high-performance fiber infrastructure. A second session moderated by Tzeitel Buchanan of Lumen, Working as a Sovereign Entity with Federal, State, and County Agencies and Suppliers, will explore strategies for networking with federal, state, and local partners, while upholding Tribal sovereignty. 

Learn more about FBA’s research here or subscribe to FBA’s Fiber Forward Weekly newsletter here to stay updated.